Mr Putin has set energy security, the prevention and control of epidemic diseases, education, and African development as the main topics on the three-day summit's agenda. But analysts believe North Korea's recent missile tests will be a hot topic among leaders on the summit's sidelines.

Li Guangmin , director of Qingdao University's Politics and International Studies Institute, said China risked losing its influence on the international stage if it failed to handle the crisis properly.

'The North Korean act is a double-edge sword to China. It has made other countries very nervous and encouraged the international community to place great expectations on China to solve the problem,' he said.

'Diplomatically, China will exist in name only if it disappoints them. Domestically, thousands of refugees will flow into northeastern China if the tension in North Korea is aggravated.'

Lin Xiaoguang , a researcher at the Central Party School, said China would not overemphasise its role in attempts to resolve the crisis because even if it was a great triumph, it would only result in North Korea's return to the round table six-party talks.

Mr Lin said he did not expect Mr Hu to declare China's standpoint on the missile tests clearly at the roundtable of G8 leaders and invited counterparts.

'I think President Hu will just express China's position of maintaining the stability and security in Northeast Asia, although we know China opposes the missile tests,' he said.

Mr Lin said the G8 summit was another important forum for discussing international affairs and President Hu would be representing the interests of all developing countries.

He added that China should make use of the opportunity to show its willingness to contribute positively to a global society.

'I think it will be necessary for President Hu to reiterate China's determination to pursue peaceful development policies to hit back at the so-called 'China threat' in his G8 address,' Mr Lin said.

Jiang Yuechun , director of the Economic Research Office at the China Institute of International Studies - a Foreign Ministry think-tank - said Mr Hu was expected to use the summit's main agenda to highlight China's efforts to conserve energy.

'In the past, China consumed a lot of energy, but now China is in the process of transforming from an energy-consuming nation to a resources-saving society,' Professor Jiang said.

'I think President Hu will send this message to his counterparts at the G8 summit because establishing an energy-saving society also needs other developed countries' co-operation and support to provide related technological aid.'

He said the participation of Mr Hu and the leaders of the other developing nations at the G8 summit meant the forum had changed from a 'rich men's club' to a multifunctional organisation aimed at solving confrontations between developed and developing countries.

All three analysts said they did not hold high expectations for Mr Hu's G8 trip because he had shown himself to be a steady man who seldom surprised the public.

'I expect President Hu will really represent developing countries and fight for benefits for all poor countries,' Mr Lin said.

Professor Li said: 'I don't expect President Hu will be capable of great achievements from the G8 because his administration is safe enough but lacks innovation.'

Professor Jiang said the real challenge for China's leader came from domestic affairs.

'Soaring economic growth has brought a lot of social problems,' he said.

'I would rather expect more focus on domestic issues.'